Options

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The game options affect the look and feel of the game. They can be changed permanently in the defaults.nh file (or ~/.nethackrc on unix) or by using the in-game options screen.

The options screen is shown by pressing shift-O in the game. The are several options so the screen is divided into four screens. It looks as follows:

Options

autodig

Automatically dig, if you're wielding a digging tool and moving into a place that can be dug. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

autopickup

Automatically pick up things onto which you move. See also pickup_types. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

autoquiver

Automatically quiver some suitable weapon if your quiver empties when firing. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

checkpoint

Save game state after each level change, for possible recovery after program crash. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

cmdassist

NetHack provides some additional command assistance when it detects some anticipated mistakes. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

color

NetHack should display color if it can for different monsters, objects, and dungeon features. This option matters only for the TTY windowport. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE on Windows and some other systems, FALSE on others. Can be set in-game.

confirm

Have user confirm attacks on peaceful creatures. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

DECgraphics

Use DEC line-drawing characters. Won't work for all terminals. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game. Turning this on sets IBMgraphics to FALSE.

eight_bit_tty

NetHack should pass eight-bit character values straight through to your terminal. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

extmenu

Does extended commands interface pop up a menu? A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Only implemented for the TTY windowport.

fixinv

An object's inventory letter sticks to it when it's dropped. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

help

If more information is available for an object looked at with the '/' command, ask if you want to see it. A boolean option, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

hilite_pet

Visually distinguish pets from similar animals. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

IBMgraphics

Main article: IBMgraphics

Use IBM extended characters. Won't work for all terminals. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Only implemented for the TTY windowport. Can be set in-game.

ignintr

Ignore interrupt signals, including breaks. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Not implemented on Mac. Can be set in-game.

lit_corridor

Distinguish visually between lit and unlit corridors. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

loot_abc

Use the old a, b and c keyboard shortcuts when looting. A boolean option, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

menu_tab_sep

Use tabs to separate menu names from their values. This option is only shown when in wizard-mode, and is only meant for testing purposes.

mouse_support

Use mouse for moving around. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Is displayed, but cannot be set in-game.

null

Send padding NULLs to terminal. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Only used if you compiled NetHack with TERMCAP and without TIMED_DELAY.

perm_invent

Show permanent inventory window. A boolean, default to FALSE. Not used on TTY. Can be set in-game.

prayconfirm

Prompt for confirmation before praying. A boolean, defaults to TRUE. Can be set in-game.

pushweapon

If you wield something when you are already wielding something else, the old weapon is pushed into the alternate weapon slot. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

rest_on_space

Space waits for a turn. This is considered by some as a very easy way to get killed. A boolean, defaults to FALSE. Can be set in-game.

Options screens

1 of 4

Set what options?

Booleans (selecting will toggle value):
    legacy        [true]
    news          [false]
a - autodig       [true]
b - autopickup    [false]
c - autoquiver    [false]
d - checkpoint    [true]
e - cmdassist     [true]
f - color         [true]
g - confirm       [true]
h - DECgraphics   [false]
i - eight_bit_tty [false]
j - extmenu       [false]
k - fixinv        [true]
l - help          [true]
m - hilite_pet    [true]
n - IBMgraphics   [true]
o - ignintr       [false]
p - lit_corridor  [true]
q - lootabc       [false]
r - menu_tab_sep  [false]
s - mouse_support [true]

2 of 4

a - null          [true]
b - perm_invent   [false]
c - prayconfirm   [true]
d - pushweapon    [false]
e - rest_on_space [false]
f - safe_pet      [true]
g - sanity_check  [false]
h - showexp       [true]
i - showrace      [false]
j - silent        [true]
k - sortpack      [true]
l - sound         [true]
m - sparkle       [true]
n - standout      [false]
o - time          [true]
p - tombstone     [true]
q - toptenwin     [false]
r - travel        [true]
s - use_inverse   [true]
t - verbose       [true]

Compounds (selecting will prompt for new value):
    name              [wizard]
    role              [Tourist]

3 of 4

    race              [human]
    gender            [male]
    align             [neutral]
    altkeyhandler     [nhraykey.dll]
    catname           [(none)]
    dogname           [(none)]
    horsename         [(none)]
    msghistory        [20]
    pettype           [random]
    windowtype        [tty]
a - boulder           [÷]
b - disclose          [yi ya yv +g +c]
c - fruit             [pineapple]
d - menustyle         [full]
e - menu_headings     [inverse]
f - msg_window        [single]
g - number_pad        [0=off]
h - packorder         [$")[%?+!=/(*`0_]
i - pickup_burden     [stressed]
j - pickup_types      [all]
k - runmode           [run]
l - scores            [3 top/2 around]
m - suppress_alert    [3.3.1]
n - autopickup exceptions (0 currently set)

4 of 4

Variable playground locations:
    hackdir           [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    leveldir          [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    savedir           [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    bonesdir          [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    datadir           [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    scoredir          [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    lockdir           [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    configdir         [C:\Games\NetHack\]
    troubledir        [C:\Games\NetHack\]